Rottweiler vs. Coyote: Which Canine Warrior Would Win a Fight?

Written by Crystal
Updated: September 24, 2023
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A coyote attacks a rottweiler playing in the front yard. It doesn’t care that it’s less than half the large dog’s size; the coyote’s out for blood. If a battle like this took place in real life, which animal would walk away alive? The answer may surprise you. Follow this rottweiler vs. coyote fight to determine who stands the best chance at survival.

Comparing Both Canine Competitors

Battle FactorsRottweilerCoyote
SizeAverage of:
34 inches height
42 inches length
120 pounds weight
Average of:
24 inches height
50 inches long
50 pounds weight
Speed25 mph43 mph
CharacteristicsLoyal
Highly intelligent
Suspicious of strangers
Brachycephalic dog breed
Efficient hunters
Highly adaptable
Highly intelligent
Top AdvantagesLarge Size
Fierce Spirit
Highly Intelligent
Hunter mindset
Works in packs to kill large prey
Speed

Rottweiler: Top Fighting Advantages

In this animal battle, the coyote would have the advantage of wild instincts. But the rottweiler would have the upper hand of fierce loyalty and unwavering courage.

Descending from ancient Roman dogs, rottweilers are excellent therapy dogs. They’re perfect for custom inspections, obedience competitions, and service dog positions. They also make great guard dogs since Rottweilers don’t back down from a threat. These powerful creatures are smart, adaptable, and loyal.

Large Size

As a medium to a large size dog breed, it’s common for rottweilers to weigh 100 pounds or more. Any weight between 80 to 135 pounds is common. Since most coyotes weigh about a third of a rottweiler, the domesticated canine would have an instant heavy-weight advantage.

How strong are rottweilers? These dogs have a strength similar to pit bulls. They have sharp canines, large bulky bodies, and an intense bite force.

Fierce Spirit

Rottweiler standing in field with tongue out

The Rottweiler was originally bred to herd livestock and pull carts.

©iStock.com/Ideas_Studio

Rottweilers aren’t naturally aggressive. But they’re strong and can fight ferociously when needed. Protecting their own is in the rottweiler’s DNA, literally. They were bred, herding, and protecting cattle and human owners.

If a coyote jumps into a rottweiler’s territory, the dog will jump into action with that hesitation. The rottweiler will be ready to attack and kill if the intruding coyote doesn’t run off at full speed.

Highly Intelligent

Rottweilers are smart and have a good chance of outwitting the coyote during the battle. First, the rottweiler would assess the threat, location, and areas of escape. Then they’d look for a moment of vulnerability. When the time was right, the large dog would charge the coyote without holding back.

Coyote: Top Fighting Advantages

The coyote’s wild spirit would be one of its best fighting advantages. Since coyotes aren’t domesticated canines, they know something about fighting to live.

As omnivores, coyotes use their teeth to eat other mammals and carrion meat

©Derek R. Audette/Shutterstock.com

Highly Adaptable

In this animal battle, the coyote would have the advantage of knowing how to quickly adapt to any terrain. They’d feel comfortable gaining an advantage indoors, outside, in the country, or in a city.

In the past, coyotes only lived in deserts and prairies. Now these wild canines live all throughout North America. Coyotes are one of the most adaptable creatures and have found ways to survive in all sorts of environments.

Hunter’s Mindset

Coyotes practice hunting all the time, while rottweilers usually just practice fetch. As omnivores, wild coyotes eat a mixture of plants and meat. Sometimes they eat things as small as lizards; other times, they down large prey like deer. Usually, the coyote only attacks large prey when they’re in a pack. On their own, these wild canines prefer rabbits, mice, and random garbage.

There are stories of coyotes attacking pets and even humans. But these occurrences are rare. Most coyotes try to avoid people and large dogs at all costs. If they target a pet, it’d be a smaller pet or something like livestock.

The domesticated dog would be instantly disadvantaged by the coyote’s wild ways. If the coyote had its pack, it could take down multiple rottweilers. If the coyote were alone, it’d have difficulty taking down a healthy rottweiler.

Are Coyotes Scared of Dogs?

The majority of coyotes are cautious around humans and typically try to stay away from us. However, their behavior shifts significantly when it comes to dogs, as they often show curiosity or interest in them.

How coyotes perceive dogs can vary, with some seeing them as potential threats, while others may view them as potential prey, largely influenced by the size of the dog.

Typically, larger dog breeds face attacks from two or more coyotes, often involving alpha pairs. In contrast, attacks on smaller dog breeds are more likely to result in fatalities (although some larger breeds are sometimes also fatally attacked), and these incidents usually involve a single coyote and not a pack.

Rottweiler vs. Coyote: Who Will Win?

Rottweiler Teeth - Ferocious Rottweiler

A rottweiler would beat a coyote in a fight.

©Lukas Gojda/Shutterstock.com

The rottweiler wins! The rottweiler vs. coyote was based on each animal’s top advantages.

Coyotes have a unique wild advantage since they hunt regularly. When with a pack can take down large prey like deer. However, this battle was a one-on-one situation.

Coyotes usually stick to smaller prey like rabbits and mice when hunting one-on-one. A 100-pound rottweiler would be a major undertaking. It’d be especially difficult if the coyote met the rottweiler on the dog’s home turf.

The loyal canine would quickly react with everything it had. The coyote could save its life by running away; it’s much faster than the rottweiler. But if the coyote stays, it’s choosing death.

Coyotes usually avoid large dogs, and for a good reason. They know they’re no match for these big canine opponents. The rottweiler may sustain some bites and scratches, but it won’t let that coyote hurt anyone in the house.

Rottweilers are usually playful, calm creatures. But once they sense a threat, they’re ready to defend. This animal battle was a close call between two powerful canines, but the win clearly goes to the rottweiler.

The photo featured at the top of this post is ©


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About the Author

Crystal is a dedicated writer at A-Z Animals, focusing on topics related to mammals, insects, and travel. With over a decade of experience in the world of research and writing, she also fulfills the role of a skilled video and audio engineer. Residing in sunny Florida, alligators are Crystal's favorite animal.

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